WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.640 If I took out a magnifying glass, came over to you and to your house and to your life and to your family 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:20.359 and applied that magnifying glass to you, what would be the biggest things in your life? 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:27.740 If you went through my life about 10 years ago, the biggest things in my life were probably martial arts. 00:00:27.739 --> 00:00:37.359 I loved martial arts. I did martial arts. I watched martial art movies. I would talk about it. 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:42.560 I would argue about which martial art was the best. I have strong opinions about that. 00:00:42.839 --> 00:00:45.480 We can fight later. That's okay. Not literally. It's okay. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:52.140 It was important. It was what I was focused on and it was a very large part of my life. 00:00:52.539 --> 00:00:57.539 And then I had kids and the martial arts kind of had to be pushed to one side. 00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:01.179 The kids became one of the biggest things in my life. 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:06.460 If you stopped in any vicinity near me, I would tell you stories about them. 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:14.780 I would show you photos. I would tell you how funny and cute and silly and how amazing they are at all these kinds of things. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:19.359 What is your life focused on? 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:23.040 If I took that magnifying glass to your life, what would be the biggest things in your life? 00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:29.939 Is it your family? Your friends? Health? Education? Your loves? Your passions? Your hobbies? 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:34.439 When people think about you, what is the first kind of image? 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:38.819 You know, when people are thinking and planning what to get you for Christmas, 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:42.219 I'm hoping there's somebody thinking and planning to get you something for Christmas. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:43.479 What are they thinking? 00:01:44.479 --> 00:01:46.739 Are they thinking, you know, that Tom, do you know what? 00:01:46.759 --> 00:01:50.479 He really needs an ugly Christmas sweater. 00:01:51.179 --> 00:01:54.619 You know, he really needs Kanye West's new album. 00:01:54.939 --> 00:01:57.539 You know, that man needs these things. 00:01:57.540 --> 00:02:00.280 What do people think about when they think of us? 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:08.760 What have we turned our lives towards so that when people see us, they see this as the biggest part of our lives? 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:15.840 We all have things in our lives that we magnify because they make us who we are. 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:17.340 They give us meaning and significance. 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:19.960 We can feel valued because I have a job. 00:02:20.200 --> 00:02:22.100 I'm the guy who loves martial arts. 00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:24.719 I'm the guy with these three kids. 00:02:25.480 --> 00:02:26.759 Now, I'm not that unique. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:28.019 I've got kids. 00:02:28.139 --> 00:02:29.060 I'm not that unique. 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:32.759 I'm not unique in that I was into martial arts. 00:02:33.799 --> 00:02:39.739 But how do we decide about the things that we choose to magnify in our lives? 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:41.500 How do we decide? 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:45.979 Do we actually sit down and think, I'm going to be this type of person? 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:51.399 Or do we just stumble into magnifying certain things in our lives? 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:57.420 And so if we all do it, a question that we need to ask is, why this thing? 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:00.819 Am I chasing this because it brings me significance? 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:04.900 Is this really what should define who I am? 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:08.180 It's Christmas time. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:10.159 I'm excited for Christmas. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:11.400 Is anybody else excited for Christmas? 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:19.599 I'm really enjoying singing with you today, particularly that end of amazing grace where it was just our voices. 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:21.120 It was a delight to sing with you. 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:27.800 And so this season, we're going to spend a little bit of time looking at some of the songs in the lead up to Christmas. 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:31.560 Today, we're looking at a song known as the Magnificat. 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:33.800 It's Mary's song. 00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:41.040 And in this song, Mary calls us to make God the largest in our lives. 00:03:41.380 --> 00:03:42.920 To magnify him. 00:03:43.660 --> 00:03:47.140 All because of God's grace towards us. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:55.500 This 15-year-old girl living in a backwater town is going to challenge us to make God the biggest thing in our lives. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:04:00.479 As we are loved by him, let that be what defines us as people. 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:03.599 So as we have a look at this song, let me pray for us. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:13.360 Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, that we can be gathering, that we can be singing with our voices loudly in praise to you. 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:21.160 Father, as we consider the things that we magnify in our lives, Father, be placing that magnifying glass on us. 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:29.860 Fill us with your spirit, that we would carefully consider what we value in our lives, so that we can value you more and more. 00:04:30.400 --> 00:04:30.800 Amen. 00:04:31.960 --> 00:04:36.880 We meet up with Mary in the Christmas story after she is pregnant with Jesus. 00:04:37.440 --> 00:04:42.800 She has visited her cousin, Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:47.620 And Elizabeth calls her blessed because she carries Jesus in her womb. 00:04:47.700 --> 00:04:50.180 She's been chosen by God to carry Jesus. 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:59.139 And responding to all that God has already done in her life, choosing her to carry Jesus, she sings a song. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:01.680 So please have your Bibles open. 00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:03.579 Please be bringing your Bible with you. 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:04.720 Have your phone. 00:05:04.900 --> 00:05:10.319 If your phone is a distraction, make sure you put it on airplane mode. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:14.340 Turn off notifications that might ding in the middle to distract you. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:16.180 And we're in Luke chapter 1. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:18.720 Mary sings, 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:18.780 Mary sings, 00:05:18.900 --> 00:05:29.180 Mary starts by singing with all that she is. 00:05:29.280 --> 00:05:32.040 She sings with her soul and her spirit. 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:35.740 She is singing from the very depths of herself. 00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:37.860 This is not just a polite, 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:41.360 I thank you God for letting me be the mother of Jesus. 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:49.420 But she praises God from the beginning of this song with all that she has to the very depths of her being. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:52.120 And she glorifies the Lord. 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:57.340 Now I don't often dive too deep into the original words in the Bible, 00:05:57.339 --> 00:06:00.899 but I found one word fascinating in this study. 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:06.479 The word for glorify comes from the Greek word megaluni. 00:06:07.419 --> 00:06:10.519 There's your new Greek word of the day, megaluni, 00:06:10.919 --> 00:06:15.979 which is this idea of magnifying, making something mega. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:19.139 Megaluni, to make something mega. 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:23.699 And it was translated into Latin as magnificat. 00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:27.240 And so that is where we get the name for this song from, magnificat. 00:06:28.539 --> 00:06:29.819 And so Mary sings, 00:06:30.779 --> 00:06:32.959 wanting to megaluni, 00:06:33.479 --> 00:06:35.039 to magnify, 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:37.319 to make God mega 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:40.539 with the very depths of her soul. 00:06:42.419 --> 00:06:45.539 But while we have the word magnify here, 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:48.060 this is not like a magnifying glass. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:52.339 A magnifying glass takes something that is small 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:53.899 and makes it larger. 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:56.579 It megalunizes it. 00:06:56.660 --> 00:06:58.920 It makes it bigger before our eyes. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:01.939 If you remember being a kid with a magnifying glass, 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:05.079 I would always point it at ants, 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:07.560 much to my shame. 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:09.399 And all of a sudden, 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:13.620 this tiny thing would become expanded in your view. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:17.860 But that is not what Mary is doing. 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:21.939 She is not wanting to make the small God bigger before her. 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:23.639 God is infinite. 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:26.220 He is already mega. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:30.420 Mary is reflecting on how great he is, 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:32.139 how majestic and awesome. 00:07:32.780 --> 00:07:36.579 And she wants God to be mega in her life. 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:38.659 But why? 00:07:38.659 --> 00:07:38.699 Why? 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:43.399 Why should God be the biggest thing in Mary's life? 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:46.359 As a young, pregnant, unmarried woman, 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:50.079 there are many other big priorities in her life. 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:51.959 Getting married to Joseph, 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:53.799 building a house, 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:55.519 having food, 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.259 having some stability in life. 00:07:57.259 --> 00:08:00.500 She's just about to be a new mom. 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:03.219 And I know what it's like to be a new dad, 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:04.079 and that's hard enough. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:04.839 New mom, 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:07.719 trying to take care of God himself. 00:08:08.039 --> 00:08:10.560 There are all kinds of big pressures on her life, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:14.480 calling to be the most important thing. 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:16.080 And yet, 00:08:16.640 --> 00:08:18.840 she wants God to be the biggest. 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:20.840 God to be mega in her life. 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:24.280 She wants God to be the biggest. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:28.800 God is what she wants her entire life to magnify. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:32.779 And that's all because Mary is self-aware. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.340 She knows who she is, 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:37.560 and she knows who God is. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:40.620 And she knows which of these two really should be the biggest. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:45.100 Mary is rejoiced in God, my Savior. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:50.139 She doesn't see herself as the offspring of immaculate conception. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:52.220 Mary doesn't see that she's perfect, 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:55.399 because only a sinner needs a Savior. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:58.939 But her song also comes from a place of questioning. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:01.399 God, I want you to be the biggest thing in my life, 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.120 but why me? 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:04.899 Of all people. 00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:06.879 Verse 48. 00:09:08.340 --> 00:09:11.720 He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:12.860 From now on, 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:14.699 all generations will call me blessed, 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:18.480 for the mighty one has done great things for me. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:20.819 Holy is his name. 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:25.299 Mary is just another young girl, 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.100 in a backwater town, 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:28.799 in a captive nation. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:32.500 And yet God chose the unworthy. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.039 He was mindful of her. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.620 God has taken out the magnifying glass, 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:40.100 and he zoomed in on this young girl. 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:42.279 The God of the infinite universe, 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:44.559 who is holding all things together by his will, 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:47.220 causing the sun to rise and to set, 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:48.659 holding gravity, 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:52.840 and listening to billions of hearts beat at the same time. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:56.120 This great God has this young, 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:59.100 insignificant girl in his mind. 00:10:00.300 --> 00:10:03.800 God has lifted her up out of obscurity. 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:08.139 And so Mary wants to magnify this God in her life, 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:10.200 to make him mega, 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:12.980 because of God's grace to her. 00:10:14.060 --> 00:10:14.660 Grace. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:19.039 God's unmerited love and favor. 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:22.579 That he would not only be mindful of her, 00:10:23.319 --> 00:10:26.879 but that he would choose to give her a crucial role 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:30.019 in the plans for salvation of the world. 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:33.539 This is a song of unmerited grace. 00:10:34.179 --> 00:10:34.620 Verse 50, 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:37.719 His mercy extends to those who fear him, 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:40.120 from generation to generation. 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:42.679 She knows her place before God. 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:46.279 This song reveals her humility, 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:47.980 and her lowliness. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:52.120 And these are both marks of somebody who has stood before God, 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:54.100 fully aware of their sins, 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:56.620 what they deserve, 00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:59.740 and how they have received mercy. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:04.480 She knows that she deserves nothing good from God. 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:06.720 Can you imagine if she was the opposite? 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:10.639 Can you imagine that if Mary was expecting good things from God? 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:15.720 You see that over-inflated person who is full of pride, 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:18.720 where they have become mega in their own eyes. 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:21.840 Can you imagine if Mary had said, 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:24.360 Oh yeah, no, I actually deserve to be the mother of Jesus. 00:11:24.660 --> 00:11:26.879 I am going to be the best mother of Jesus. 00:11:27.160 --> 00:11:28.500 I'm going to be better than anybody. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:29.200 You've picked me, 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.940 and you're lucky you picked me, 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:34.759 because I'm going to really fix up this whole Israel situation. 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:36.799 God, I deserve your favor. 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:41.659 When we see this kind of arrogance and pride, 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:43.159 it is distasteful. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.639 We can find it repugnant. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:47.059 Who is this person to speak like that? 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:52.559 And yet we can also struggle to sing a song like Mary's, 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:56.539 where we ask that question, 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:58.860 Who am I before you, Lord, 00:11:58.939 --> 00:12:01.299 that you would choose to have favor on me? 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:04.059 At some level, 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:07.559 we can struggle thinking that we deserve good from God. 00:12:09.459 --> 00:12:12.779 Mary's song calls us to be in awe of God's gift, 00:12:13.459 --> 00:12:15.659 especially because we don't deserve it. 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:18.139 Why would you save me? 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:20.459 God, why have you been mindful of me? 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:22.519 God, you are mighty, 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:25.639 but why are you mighty for me? 00:12:26.979 --> 00:12:27.679 Verse 49, 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:30.799 It's not a full stop there. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:34.439 He has done great things for me, 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:36.899 this little person. 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:40.819 One of my favorite things to do in life 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:42.399 is to look at the stars. 00:12:42.979 --> 00:12:44.659 Anybody else enjoy looking at the stars? 00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:49.959 I really struggle living in a city looking at the stars, 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:52.259 because there is so much light pollution, 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:54.240 that you look at the stars and it's like, 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:54.819 Oh, look, 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:57.080 I can see five stars tonight. 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:57.899 You know, 00:12:57.939 --> 00:12:59.500 I don't know what God was talking about with Abraham. 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:01.379 I can count these stars right now. 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:04.220 One of my favorite things to do 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:06.059 is when I get out of the city 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:08.740 and get far away to actually, 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:09.279 you know, 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:10.000 late at night, 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:12.500 to look at the sky 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:15.379 and just to stand in awe 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:17.159 at the stars. 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:20.819 The reality is 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:23.179 that those stars are all around us right now. 00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:24.139 I just can't see it. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:25.740 And even now, 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:27.139 I can't see it 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.939 because there's too much light from the sun. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:33.719 This awesome and powerful 00:13:33.719 --> 00:13:35.199 and mega luni, 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.339 this mega God, 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:38.899 is around us at all times. 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:42.360 And he focuses on us. 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.720 He is mindful of us 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:45.539 and that Jesus died for us 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:45.959 and yet, 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.819 so often, 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:51.500 we can miss out on seeing this 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:54.279 because there is so much pollution around us. 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:55.079 Not light pollution, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.219 but busyness. 00:13:57.179 --> 00:13:59.679 Our eyes can be deceived by our own sin. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:03.379 But Mary's song is a reminder 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.679 that God knows us. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:06.019 He is mindful of us. 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:09.299 And we need to continue to sing this song to our hearts. 00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:11.539 To actually take time 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:14.599 to cast our eyes to God, 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:17.120 to go out to the country 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.300 as we would, 00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:19.700 to look at the stars, 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:21.279 to actually take a moment 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:23.480 and be in awe of God's bigness. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.840 That God would make 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:28.720 this universe, 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:30.420 and we can only see a speck of it, 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:31.519 that it would go on 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.940 for infinity. 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:35.600 But God has that much love 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.639 for us. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:39.840 to take a moment 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.220 and think, 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:40.899 this God 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:42.240 of the universe, 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:44.220 he is mindful of me. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:46.480 That Jesus died for me. 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.779 That not only is he mighty, 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.819 but he is mighty 00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:51.220 for you. 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.419 How much then 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.779 should we want to magnify 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.000 this God in our souls? 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:00.100 God's grace causes Mary 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:01.639 to want to magnify him 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.319 because he has been 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.399 mindful of us. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.980 Mary continues to sing 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.500 about how great this God is, 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:10.500 that he lifts up the lowly 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:12.419 and not just those 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.259 who are full of pride, 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.019 not just the rich, 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:14.759 not just those 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.279 who are mega 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.799 in their own eyes. 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:18.840 And we see Mary singing 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.519 of the justice 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.600 that God brings. 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.299 This God is great. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.179 He isn't biased. 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:25.379 He treats the lowly 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.860 and humble with love 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.500 and grace. 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.340 He lifts them up. 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:30.820 And now Mary sings 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.120 of what God does 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:32.740 with those 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.920 who see themselves 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:34.360 as great. 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.000 Verse 51. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.460 He has performed 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.360 mighty deeds 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.960 with his arm. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.899 He has scattered 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.879 those who are proud 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.980 in their inmost thoughts. 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:43.160 He has brought down 00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.259 rulers from their thrones, 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:46.019 but has lifted up 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:46.480 the humble. 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:48.060 He has filled 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:48.560 the hungry 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.440 with good things, 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.460 but has sent 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.740 the rich away empty. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.220 God scatters 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:55.240 those who are proud 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.740 in their inmost thoughts. 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:58.460 Pride 00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:59.639 competes 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:00.159 with God 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.799 for glory. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.340 It's a competition 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.060 for who is going 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:03.720 to be the greatest. 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.139 Pride in our hearts 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.539 refuses to acknowledge 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.600 that God is sovereign. 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.299 And especially 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.180 when our eyes 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:10.360 are clouded 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:12.220 with the light pollution 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:13.299 of busyness 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:14.080 and sin 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:16.720 to see God 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.399 as great, 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.259 pride fills us up. 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.620 And when we are 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.240 full of pride, 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.240 our lives look different. 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.680 Mary is singing 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.399 comparing 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:27.620 what is going 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.819 on in her heart. 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.799 She is making God 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.219 the greatest 00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:32.059 in her soul 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:32.719 and spirit, 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.079 whereas the pride 00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:34.879 of others 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.799 is filling up 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.399 their hearts. 00:16:37.359 --> 00:16:38.239 The hidden places 00:16:38.239 --> 00:16:39.239 magnify themselves. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.599 We all battle it. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.679 We all can have 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:45.659 an inflated sense 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.579 of what we deserve. 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:49.120 I think about Christmas. 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:50.699 I've had a number 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:51.359 of conversations 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:51.980 with people 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.860 in my own family, 00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:54.560 with friends, 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.300 about expectations 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.480 of what Christmas 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.759 Day will look like. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.200 Which family 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.039 do we go and see? 00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:02.340 What do we do 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.220 on Christmas Day? 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:04.539 When do we do presents? 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.279 Who's making the food? 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.200 Who's making the roast? 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.039 Who's bringing this? 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:09.200 And it is just 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:11.380 a time that is fraught 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.259 with pride 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.279 and comparison. 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:15.700 I have this expectation. 00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:16.740 I have to do this. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.920 It has to look like this 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.579 or Christmas 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.400 will not be great. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:24.200 It can be a time 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:26.120 of pride 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:26.840 where we think 00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:28.660 I am the greatest 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:30.420 and it has to look 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.019 like this. 00:17:32.340 --> 00:17:33.000 But God 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.780 hates pride. 00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:37.019 He has lifted up Mary. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.500 She knew her humble 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.560 place before God 00:17:39.560 --> 00:17:40.380 and yet God 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.480 scatters the proud. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.560 It's an act 00:17:42.560 --> 00:17:43.460 of judgment. 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.519 God did it 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.180 when mankind 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:47.680 got ahead of themselves 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:49.080 and built themselves 00:17:49.080 --> 00:17:50.039 up quite literally 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.860 into the tower 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.380 of Babel. 00:17:52.080 --> 00:17:52.860 Full of pride 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:53.360 they thought 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.100 they could ascend 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:54.460 to heaven 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.259 and yet God 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.900 scattered them. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.120 When Israel 00:17:57.120 --> 00:17:58.100 was full of pride 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:58.740 and thought that 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.420 Jerusalem would 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.100 never fall 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:01.259 and they continued 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.299 to sin against him 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:04.380 God scattered 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:05.279 Israel. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.640 God brings down 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.779 those who are wise 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.700 in their own eyes. 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.820 He sends away 00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:11.820 those who are rich. 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:13.460 the call 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.299 of Christmas 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.819 is our desperate 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:17.159 need for God 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:17.960 to save us. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.339 And he had to 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.299 directly intervene 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.019 in that situation. 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.639 God had to take 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:24.679 off his Godhood 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:25.399 his divinity 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:26.139 and become 00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:26.919 a person 00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:28.039 to limit himself 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:29.119 to become 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.279 a humble man. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.720 And if we attempt 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.819 to make ourselves 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.799 greater than him 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.659 we'll have no part 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.460 in his salvation. 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:40.440 The powerful 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.220 and wealthy 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.980 are inclined 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.600 to pride 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:43.200 so God 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.720 sends them 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.380 away empty. 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:45.920 We continue 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.360 to see this 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:46.680 in the world 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.279 today how 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.240 world leaders 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.000 and government 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.500 officials 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.299 indulge in 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.079 luxury. 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.240 They give grants 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.019 to each other 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.620 and money. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:54.500 They swell 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.180 with pride 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.840 and can be 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:56.620 intoxicated 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.420 with the spoils 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.200 of their prosperity. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.420 And Mary sings 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.240 that God brings 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.160 down those rulers 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:02.960 from their thrones 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.059 but she also 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.279 calls us 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.620 to see 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:07.839 that God 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.459 is the greatest 00:19:08.459 --> 00:19:09.259 that he should 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.739 be the one 00:19:09.739 --> 00:19:10.539 that is magnified. 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.159 It can seem 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:14.000 like the world 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.599 runs on riches 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.779 and people's money 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:18.799 but Mary reminds us 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.379 that God 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.519 is actually sovereign. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.679 God is actually 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:22.239 in control 00:19:22.239 --> 00:19:23.239 over all of these. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.119 The great 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.519 and rich 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.159 and powerful 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:26.419 face the temptation 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.239 to lift themselves 00:19:27.239 --> 00:19:27.979 up to praise 00:19:27.979 --> 00:19:29.000 themselves before God 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:31.679 but this is not 00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:32.619 just for those 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.959 on thrones 00:19:33.959 --> 00:19:34.519 and those 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.139 who are mega rich. 00:19:35.459 --> 00:19:36.339 Mary's call 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:36.899 is for us 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:38.319 to be hyper aware 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.819 to be on guard 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.740 that we don't 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.500 chase these things 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:42.759 to. 00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:45.699 Mary's hymn 00:19:45.699 --> 00:19:46.679 is a song 00:19:46.679 --> 00:19:47.659 of the powerless 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.759 and not the proud. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:49.759 It's a song 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.859 not of expectations 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.439 but God's 00:19:52.439 --> 00:19:53.859 unexpected grace. 00:19:55.199 --> 00:19:56.099 In this whole song 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:58.359 God is the one 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:59.220 who is the subject 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.039 of all the verbs. 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.419 God is the one 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.619 who does the actions. 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:04.059 God is the one 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.439 who acts. 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.259 Just have a look 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.539 with me. 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:06.079 Flick through it 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.359 with me. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:08.680 God is the saviour. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.799 God is mindful 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.660 of his servants. 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.299 God is the mighty one 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.519 who does great things. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.920 God is the one 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.900 who extends mercy. 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:20.779 God is the one 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.720 who performs 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.599 mighty deeds. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:24.519 God brings down rulers. 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.619 God lifts up 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.700 the humble. 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:28.180 God fills the hungry. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.119 God sends away 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.519 the rich. 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.879 God is the one 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:31.900 who helps his servant. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:34.259 God is the one 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:34.340 who acts. 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:34.860 God is the one 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.340 who acts. 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:36.600 God is the one 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.440 who acts. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.360 God is the one 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:40.240 who acts. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.280 All religions 00:20:44.280 --> 00:20:45.200 in the world 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.120 are about what 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.060 we do 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:48.920 but the story 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.660 of Christmas 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.400 reminds us 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:50.900 that it is about 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.920 what God has done. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.940 It's not about 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:54.580 what we do 00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:55.580 whether I have to be 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:55.940 meditating 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.680 to give up 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.540 worldly attachments, 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.019 act in the right way 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.940 to please God 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.600 or continue 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.220 to go to temple 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.740 or church, 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.660 follow the right 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.539 cultic practices, 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.740 to be the sinner 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.539 who has to go 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.759 from low to high, 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.920 from sinner to saint. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.779 Mary's song 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.580 flips all that. 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:14.220 Flips the cultural 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.980 expectations, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.340 the social expectations. 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.779 God is the one 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.420 who acts. 00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:22.019 He sees our needs 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.920 and he starts 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:24.080 a revolution 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:26.840 that reorders reality. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.340 The highest of highs 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.699 the great 00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:31.619 and mighty God 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.359 intercedes 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.199 for the lowest 00:21:33.199 --> 00:21:33.959 of low, 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:35.539 this young woman 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.359 and calls 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.639 her blessed. 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.179 God ignores 00:21:40.179 --> 00:21:41.099 those on thrones, 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.779 those who are rich 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.359 and important 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.639 and he is mindful 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.459 of the humble 00:21:44.459 --> 00:21:45.179 and lowly. 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.299 The almighty 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.879 restructures 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:50.079 cosmic reality 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.019 for the 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.759 un-mighty. 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.439 The God 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:55.220 of the magnificent 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.759 stands with the 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.799 small and weak 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:59.240 and he magnifies 00:21:59.240 --> 00:21:59.519 them. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.619 This Christmas, 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.579 let's not move 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.799 too quickly past 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.059 Mary's amazement 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.460 that God 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.339 would choose her. 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.539 God had spent 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.700 centuries preparing 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.419 for the day 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:12.379 when Jesus would 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.299 come and now 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.019 he's going to 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.740 save the world 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:16.879 using an un-married 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.440 young girl. 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.500 Mary's words 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.019 in that song 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.779 should be ours. 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.379 He has been 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.519 humble of the 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.119 mindful state 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.659 of his servant. 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.779 He has been 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:26.339 mindful of me, 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:27.579 the great one 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.699 has done 00:22:28.699 --> 00:22:29.599 great things 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.959 for me. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.919 He has not 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.339 just done 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.919 good, 00:22:34.699 --> 00:22:35.399 not even 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:35.899 great, 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:37.159 but mighty 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:38.599 things for 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:38.980 me 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.500 and for you. 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.199 How can we 00:22:42.199 --> 00:22:42.879 get to Christmas 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.879 and not sit 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:44.359 in this note 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:44.919 of joy 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:46.099 and astonishment 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.159 that God 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:47.919 would choose 00:22:47.919 --> 00:22:48.740 to bless 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.000 me, 00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:50.679 that he would 00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.339 choose to 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.179 bless you? 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:54.440 we should 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:54.920 all be like 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.240 Mary, 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.019 amazed that 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.700 God would 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.539 work in 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.039 us. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.440 We are like 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.700 Mary. 00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:01.740 Mary literally 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:03.519 received Christ 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.620 and carried 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.320 Christ in 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:05.700 her, 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.600 but for 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:07.240 everyone who 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.799 puts faith 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.299 in Jesus, 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.480 we are like 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:11.360 Mary in 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:11.759 that we 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.060 receive Jesus 00:23:13.060 --> 00:23:14.279 by the Holy 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.140 Spirit and we 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:15.880 carry him 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:16.519 with us. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:19.059 we should 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.779 be floored 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:21.440 that God 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:21.920 would give 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.559 us with 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.420 all our 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.000 smallness 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.440 and our 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:24.900 flaws 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.960 and our 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.619 issues of 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.160 pride 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.079 this great 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.420 gift. 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:30.039 We should 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.579 never move 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.220 too far 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.619 from this 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.220 astonishment. 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.440 This is the 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.039 heart of the 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.680 Christian gospel, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.519 that God 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:36.839 would have 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.119 grace that 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.420 he would 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.059 choose me. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.700 When we 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.519 are astonished 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:41.920 by this 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.200 grace, 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.480 it kills 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.639 our pride. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.520 it kills 00:23:46.520 --> 00:23:47.320 our demands 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:47.900 of God. 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.380 It kills 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:50.340 our religious 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.100 doing of 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.560 things to 00:23:51.560 --> 00:23:52.200 please God 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:53.600 and we 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:53.960 are left 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.520 in awe 00:23:54.520 --> 00:23:55.520 and surprise 00:23:55.520 --> 00:23:56.280 and wonder. 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:57.700 Let me 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.380 encourage you 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.620 to go out 00:23:59.620 --> 00:23:59.920 into the 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.460 country this 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:00.740 week. 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:01.980 Now I 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.500 don't literally 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.860 mean go 00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.460 and find, 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.320 go for a 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:05.780 drive out to 00:24:05.780 --> 00:24:06.320 Orange or 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:06.759 something, 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.240 unless of 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.020 course you'd 00:24:09.020 --> 00:24:09.460 like to do 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:09.720 that. 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:11.680 Find a 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:13.120 patch before 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.580 Christmas. 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:14.620 Find a 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:16.219 place to 00:24:16.219 --> 00:24:17.879 sit and 00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:18.679 be in 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:19.619 awe of 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.039 the God 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.319 of the 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.839 universe. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:23.000 To prepare 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.679 our hearts 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.419 for Christmas, 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.199 the reminder 00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:25.779 that Jesus 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.419 would come, 00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:27.119 that God 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.619 has done 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.039 mighty 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.039 things for 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.339 me. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.399 So that 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:31.919 we can 00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:32.559 magnify 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.039 God. 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:33.959 This 00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:34.299 Christmas 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.639 let's 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.299 magnify 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.079 God in 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.859 our lives, 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.899 not just 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:40.799 to have 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.399 a nativity 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:42.399 scene in 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:42.839 a small 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.379 corner of 00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:43.899 the house, 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:46.000 but to 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.200 have 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.580 Jesus 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.140 front and 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.540 center in 00:24:47.540 --> 00:24:48.060 our lives. 00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:50.019 Have you 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.560 ever set 00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:51.019 something on 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.540 fire with 00:24:51.540 --> 00:24:52.080 a magnifying 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.500 glass? 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:54.860 I know I 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.140 certainly 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.500 have. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.120 I kind of 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.519 feel I need 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:57.860 to go and 00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:58.300 find another 00:24:58.300 --> 00:24:58.740 magnifying 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.259 glass and 00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.800 show my 00:24:59.800 --> 00:25:00.160 kids how 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.580 it works. 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.580 I don't 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:01.980 necessarily 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.320 want to 00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:02.620 start a 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.240 bushfire in 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.519 summer. 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.480 There's just 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.680 something 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:06.040 satisfying about 00:25:06.040 --> 00:25:06.420 starting a 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:06.560 fight. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:06.840 Anyway, 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.240 I can talk 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.460 about that 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.660 later. 00:25:08.800 --> 00:25:09.180 But a 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.780 magnifying 00:25:09.780 --> 00:25:10.840 glass in 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.240 and of 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.780 itself, 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.859 it has 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.680 no power, 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.500 no fire, 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.079 no flame, 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.759 no light 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.480 in itself. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.619 But when 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:21.139 you take 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.180 that magnifying 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:23.259 glass and 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.000 you turn it 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.559 on the 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.579 right angle, 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:28.039 it magnifies 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.819 the sun's 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:30.859 rays and 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.660 it ignites. 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.059 It causes 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.819 a reaction. 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:35.859 Brothers and 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.099 sisters, 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:37.200 we have no 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.079 power on 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.599 our own, 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:40.679 but we 00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.319 are like 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.199 a magnifying 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:43.459 glass in 00:25:43.459 --> 00:25:43.799 God's 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.480 hands that 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.339 he uses to 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.480 focus and 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.119 direct his 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:48.519 power. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:49.919 This 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:50.259 Christmas, 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:52.039 as we face 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.000 the temptation 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.059 to pride, 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.219 to greed, 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:55.699 to high 00:25:55.699 --> 00:25:56.439 expectations, 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.559 let me 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.879 call you 00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:00.299 to let 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.959 God be 00:26:00.959 --> 00:26:01.459 the greatest 00:26:01.459 --> 00:26:02.059 thing in 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.599 your life. 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.879 When we 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.819 do that, 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:06.899 when we 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:07.579 allow God 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.159 to be the 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.460 biggest in 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.080 our life, 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.660 God turns 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:13.840 us to 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.660 be like 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:14.860 him. 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.259 When we 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.200 turn our 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.779 face to 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.080 him, 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.700 God uses 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.180 us to 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.920 focus his 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.660 power through 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:22.400 and so 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.759 that when 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.420 people see 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:23.860 us, 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.620 they don't 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:25.100 just see a 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:25.680 person who 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.000 likes martial 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:28.000 arts or a 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.460 person who 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.220 has three 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.800 kids that he 00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:30.560 also likes, 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.080 but people 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:33.340 see the 00:26:33.340 --> 00:26:34.360 great God 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:35.080 of the 00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:35.640 universe 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:38.259 and that 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.720 it would 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.540 cause a 00:26:39.540 --> 00:26:40.640 reaction in 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.080 people's 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.600 hearts, 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.960 that love 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.540 would flow 00:26:43.540 --> 00:26:44.000 out from 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.380 us, 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.780 mercy and 00:26:45.780 --> 00:26:46.259 God's 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.820 grace would 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:47.520 extend through 00:26:47.520 --> 00:26:48.400 us because 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.180 we get the 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.700 chance to 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.720 magnify the 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.680 great God 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.060 of the 00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:52.380 world. 00:26:53.540 --> 00:26:54.320 Turn away 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:54.800 from the 00:26:54.800 --> 00:26:56.180 things that 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:56.800 trap us, 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.620 turn to 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.580 God so 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:58.900 that he 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.300 would be 00:26:59.300 --> 00:27:00.240 magnified in 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.220 us and 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.980 through us 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.220 to all the 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.740 people around 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.020 us. 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.779 Let me 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.059 pray. 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.519 Dear 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:10.740 Heavenly 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.180 Father, 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.220 we thank 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.619 you so 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:13.920 much, 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.299 Lord, 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.139 that you 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.539 would be 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.400 mindful of 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:16.900 us, 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.440 that you 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.240 have done 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.980 great things 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.440 in your 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:22.859 Son, 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:27.579 that because 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.180 of Jesus 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:29.559 we can 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.379 see your 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:31.859 unmerited 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:33.000 and undeserved 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.579 grace. 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.539 Heavenly 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.039 Father, 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.079 as we 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.200 head towards 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.700 Christmas, 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.379 end of 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:39.839 year and 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.259 all of the 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.900 busy things 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.519 that come, 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.160 Father, 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.779 we ask 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.220 that we 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.920 would turn 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.639 our face 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.240 to you, 00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:46.940 that you 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.319 would be 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.500 magnified in 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.339 us and 00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:51.099 through us 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.500 for your 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:51.859 glory. 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.400 We ask 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.000 this in 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.779 Jesus' name. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:55.700 Amen. 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:55.859 Amen. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:55.879 Amen. 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:55.920 Amen. 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:55.940 Amen. 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:55.960 Amen. 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:55.980 Amen. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.000 Amen. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.940 Amen. 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:57.960 Amen. 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.900 Amen. 00:27:59.900 --> 00:27:59.960 Amen. 00:27:59.960 --> 00:27:59.980 Amen. 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.019 Amen. 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.039 Amen. 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.059 Amen. 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.079 Amen. 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.119 Amen. 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.139 Amen. 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:00.160 Amen. 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:04.000 Amen.